To The Friends Who Always Show Up, Thank You

First off, I want to say thank you. I know it isn’t always easy or convenient to show up.

I also want to say, I know thank you can never be enough.

I know what it’s like to believe you can depend on someone and then slowly realize you can’t. I know that sometimes people will try their best, and it still won’t always work out the way you hope it will. Friendship isn’t an easy thing at times. Life becomes hectic, new priorities start to take place, and nothing ever slows down. The world is constantly moving, and it forces us to move right along with it. So making time for each other becomes more and more difficult, even with the best of intentions.

So I know just how valuable it is that you show up for me in the moments I need you. I know that being present isn’t as simple as we make it out to be. It requires effort, emotional energy, and attention that the rest of our lives are desperately begging for. Sometimes it feels relatively easy to show up. Other times it takes everything we can muster to do so.

I also know you can’t truly always be there for me. Not because you don’t want to, but because none of us can. I know you have a life that requires your focus, your wisdom, and it can’t be split into a dozen different ways. Everyone has moments that they need to take care of themselves, and I don’t expect you to drop everything the moment I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk things out. You have an incredible heart, and if I took advantage of that, I wouldn’t be a true friend.

Yet, I know you always try your best for me. I know if I reach out to you, I’m not a burden adding to the heaviness of your life. I’m not an obligation you have to meet. I know that if you can be there for me, you will- and if you can’t, it’s not anything personal. You’ve proven enough times that you do whatever you can, and in the absences, I know it’s because you’re a person who has other things to manage. You’re never someone I have to question if they care for me- our history has proven that time and time again.

You’re the reason I understand what it means to be a friend and to be there for someone. You show me constantly. Anytime you reach out to see how I’m doing, the times you agree to meet up with me when you know I need someone to listen, the kindness that you show me in a million small ways. You have shown me what it looks like to care for someone so intentionally, even when it’s not convenient to do so.

Because of that compassion, I also realize you don’t have to talk to me or be with me 24/7 to show how much you care. I see how much you deal with and how hard life can be for you sometimes. You know I’m always ready to be there for you in the ways you need it, in whatever ways I can. Friendship isn’t a one-sided thing, and knowing you has made me a better person and friend to those around me. I will always do my best to return all the love you’ve shown me because you deserve that.

When it comes down to it, I know that it can be easy to slowly fade away in each other’s lives, especially the older we get. I’m thankful that we won’t let that happen without giving it our best effort. I’m grateful to know that I can depend on you in the moments when life gets rough, as well as celebrate the moments where life is incredible.

Thank you for being there for it all.